Flyers Game 77, Dorwart’s Debut; Lines, Notes, & How to Watch vs. Canadiens

The Philadelphia Flyers (31-36-9) travel north of the border to take on the Montreal Canadiens (36-30-9) for the second time in four games.

The Flyers have been picking up some steam in their last three games, starting with the game against the Habs in Philadelphia. They are on a three-game winning streak and are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games.

Montreal has played four games since that loss in Philly, winning three of its last four games. They are 5-3-2 in their last 10 games.

The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. EST. at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Read More: Flyers Read to Play Spoiler in Final Six Games

Projected Lines

Forwards

Tyson Foerster – Noah Cates – Bobby Brink

Matvei Michkov – Sean Couturier – Travis Konecny

Owen Tippett – Ryan Poehling – Jakob Pelletier

Nicolas Deslauriers – Karsen Dorwart – Garnet Hathaway

Defensemen

Nick Seeler – Travis Sanheim

Cam York – Jamie Drysdale

Egor Zamula – Emil Andrae

Goaltender

Sam Ersson

Power Play Units

PP1: Noah Cates – Matvei Michkov – Travis Konecny – Bobby Brink – Jamie Drysdale

PP2:  Sean Couturier – Karsen Dorwart – Tyson Foerster – Owen Tippett – Emil Andrae

Penalty Kill Units

PK1: Noah Cates – Travis Konecny – Cam York – Travis Sanheim

PK2:  Ryan Poehling – Garnet Hathaway – Nick Seeler – Egor Zamula

Karsen Dorwart’s NHL Debut

Recent NCAA free agency signee and now Flyers rookie Karsen Dorwart is set to make his NHL debut Saturday night at the Bell Centre.

“I am just thrilled. I couldn’t be happier. This is all I have ever wanted to since I could walk, so I am super happy,” said Dorwart after Friday’s practice.

After three years at Michigan State, Dorwart is now about to take that next step in his career and officially play as an NHL player.

He recognized how energetic the atmosphere is at the Bell Centre right now, given the Habs’ playoff push. Dorwart leans on his experience playing in Big Ten Arenas like 3M Arena at Minnesota, Yost at Michigan, his former home barn, Munn Ice Arena, and Pegula Ice Arena at Penn State. Those atmospheres helped him drown out the crowds and just focus on the game at hand.

“I’ve learned over the years just to drown out any of that noise. That’s all it is, just noise. So you just got to play your same game.“

Despite not yet playing in the NHL, Dorwart seems to have a pro mentality.

Read More: What Will it Take to Get David Carle?

Who Will Extend Their Streak, Flyers or Canadiens?

As mentioned earlier, one of the two teams in Saturday’s contest will be walking away with their winning streak ended, while the other gets extended. Both teams come into the Bell Centre on the heels of a three-game winning streak.

For the Flyers, they have won each of their games since the coaching change, going 3-0-0 in the Brad Shaw era. Montreal, which was Shaw’s first win, has won three of their five games since that showdown in Philly, including three straight.

Matvei Michkov has been a big part of the Flyers’ success in recent weeks. He has earned seven points in the past three games and is on a three-game multi-point streak.

Previous Matchups

Saturday’s matchup marks the series finale between the two sides, which is currently tied 1-1. Montreal won the first matchup in Philadelphia 4-3. Months later, the two teams squared off in Philly again. This time, it was the Flyers who came away with the win, 6-4.

Saturday’s game is the rubber match between the two teams. Winner takes the season series, while the loser will have to wait until next season to have another crack at the winner.

The season series between the two teams has been headlined by the Lane Hutson vs. Matvei Michkov Calder debate.

Both rookies were held pointless in the late-October meeting between the two teams. Both rookies also had multi-point games in the last meeting. Hutson has a two-assist game, while Michkov had a two-goal game and an assist (and a barely missed empty net).

The two rookie phenoms will headline yet another matchup between the Flyers and Habs.

How to Watch Flyers vs. Canadiens

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia, ESPN+

Radio: 93.3 WMMR

The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. EST. at the Bell Centre.

Read More: Matvei Michkov Is Making a Legit Case for The Calder Trophy

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